2010 Lexus GS 450h
2010 LEXUS GS 450H REVIEW
The 2010 Lexus GS Hybrid ranks 3 out of 13 Luxury Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 57 published reviews and test drives of the Lexus GS Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data. Lexus calls the GS 450h a no compromises hybrid, and its easy to understand why. It offers the power of a V8 with the fuel-efficiency of a V6, and the kind of opulent cabin that Lexus is known for. It is a tight fit for taller drivers, however, and still trails the best sport sedans in handling.
OPTIONS
The GS 450 Hybrid comes in only one trim level. Its equipment list is close to comprehensive, but a handful of upgrades are offered. For 2010, the GS hybrid gets a slightly modified grille, standard 18-inch wheels and a new power rear sunshade. The GS packs a lot of amenities into a very reliable 4-door sedan starting with a powerful engine. No GS has an output under 300 hp, which adds a strong performance punch to the sedan. Safety tech includes Lexus's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, which coordinates a slew of sensors to keep the car headed where the driver intends it to go. For fuel misers, the full-hybrid 450h gets 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, a better than 10% improvement over its gasoline-only siblings.
SUMMARY
In road tests, the Lexus GS 450h to be remarkably fast and powerful. Zero to 60 mph takes just 5.5 seconds. It runs in all-electric mode up to around 15 mph before the gas engine kicks in. And the transition is seamless -- you don't experience the sudden shudder found in earlier hybrid vehicles. A clever Adaptive Variable Suspension system allows the driver to select between normal and "sport" settings. In "sport" mode, the GS 450h corners well without noticeable body roll. An optional active stabilizer adds even more control to the sedan's already well-balanced handling characteristics.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
